Marvel Is Reversing A 19-Year-Old Spider-Man Mistake, But There's A Dark Catch

Published Nov 6, 2026, 9:44 PM EST

Since 2019, Kevin Erdmann has been one of Screen Rant's Senior Staff Writers, covering all kinds of Superhero and Star Wars media with Easter egg breakdowns, theory pieces, breaking news, and more. A huge Star Wars & MCU fan, Kevin also loves Batman (because he's Batman), but could talk for hours about why Nightwing is DC's greatest hero. 

With 8 years of total experience covering entertainment and pop culture, Kevin has gotten the chance to interview top creatives and talent, and has also attended major media events like Disney's D23 convention.

Majoring in Cinema Studies with a minor in Comics and Cartoon Studies from the UofO, Kevin lives in Oregon with his wonderful wife, adorable dog, and sinister cat who is no doubt currently plotting his demise.

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Avengers #1 (2026)

For nearly two decades, Spider-Man has effectively been trapped by one of the most controversial and infamous decisions in Marvel Comics history. As seen in 2007's One More Day, this post-Civil War storyline saw Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson making a dark deal with the devil, resulting in a major regression of Spider-Man's development on the page, which may finally (finally) be undone thanks to Marvel Comics' brand-new Avengers series.

In One More Day, a hit was placed on Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the wake of his public unmasking during Civil War. As such, a bullet meant for Peter struck Aunt May, leaving her in critical condition with no option to save her life...until the demon lord Mephisto showed up. Presenting Spider-Man and MJ (then Peter's wife) with a deal, Mephisto promised to save May's life in exchange for the erasure of their entire marriage, their memories together, and the future child they were meant to have (which Mephisto foresaw would become a major threat to him personally).

After agreeing to Mephisto's terms, Peter's secret identity was restored, and much of his journey in the comics was reset back to what Marvel Comics believed to be a more basic, relatable, and entertaining status quo with Spider-Man once again struggling to balance his personal life with his responsibility as a hero. However, things look like they're about to change. While a reversal of Spider-Man's biggest mistake has been teased before, it looks as though Marvel really means it this time, especially following the new Avengers #1 from Chip Zdarsky and Marco Checchetto.

Avengers: Armageddon Teased Mephisto's New Status Quo (And Spider-Man's Dark Future)

In Zdarsky's Captain America tie-in issues to the recent Avengers: Armageddon crossover event, Mephisto's rule in the underworld was overthrown by Doctor Doom with help from Steve Rogers, resulting in all the demon lord's contracts being declared null and void by Victor von Doom. Naturally, this raised some pretty big questions about what would happen to those whose lives had been intrinsically changed by Mephisto's numerous bargains for mortals' souls...like Spider-Man.

Then, Zdarsky's Avengers: Armageddon #5 made things really interesting. Using a device originally owned by Doctor Doom to observe the most probable future, Tony Stark saw Mephisto seemingly killing Spider-Man himself, adding some major fuel to the fire that it will likely have everything to do with their "One More Day" deal.

Now, Avengers #1 from Zdarsky and Checchetto makes things quite clear: Mephisto's old agreements are coming undone all over the globe, and Peter's bargain is indeed among them in this brand-new Marvel series bringing a whole new roster of heroes together for a new era of the Marvel Universe (Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Captain Marvel, Daredevil, Wolverine, and the brand-new Miracleman).

Marvel Is Undoing Spider-Man's Infamous One More Day Storyline

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Among the many mortals whose deals with Mephisto are being reversed in Avengers #1 by angel-like beings, readers are introduced to a girl named Paige Howley, whose parents made some sort of currently unknown bargain on her behalf. Giving her a sentient book, the tome leads Paige straight to Spider-Man, who tells him that he too, once made his own deal with the devil.

Friendly Neighborhood Assessment · MCU Era Tom Holland's
Spider-Man Trivia

🏠Homecoming2017

✈️Far From Home2019

🌌No Way Home2021

😈VillainsSinister…

🤖MCUAvengers

THWIP! LET'S GO →

01

Before getting his own solo film, Tom Holland’s Peter Parker made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut by being recruited by Tony Stark to help in a massive superhero conflict. In which MCU film did Holland first appear as Spider-Man?

AAvengers: Age of Ultron BCaptain America: Civil War CSpider-Man: Homecoming DAvengers: Infinity War

✓ Correct! Tom Holland first appeared as Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War (2016), where Tony Stark visits Peter in Queens and recruits him for the airport battle against Team Cap. His quippy, starstruck portrayal instantly won over audiences.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Captain America: Civil War. Holland debuted in the 2016 film before Homecoming (2017). He was recruited by Tony Stark for the iconic airport fight scene, stealing Captain America’s shield with his webs in one of the film’s most memorable moments.

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02

In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter faces a blue-collar salvage contractor who turned to arms dealing after being shut out of the Chitauri cleanup by Damage Control. Using an alien-tech wingsuit, he becomes one of Spider-Man’s most grounded villains. Who is he?

AThe Vulture (Adrian Toomes) BThe Shocker (Herman Schultz) CThe Scorpion (Mac Gargan) DThe Tinkerer (Phineas Mason)

✓ Correct! Adrian Toomes, played brilliantly by Michael Keaton, is the Vulture — a working-class father who builds a criminal empire selling alien-derived weapons. The twist that he’s the father of Peter’s date Liz is one of the MCU’s best surprises.

✗ Web miss! The answer is The Vulture (Adrian Toomes). The Shocker and Tinkerer are his henchmen in the film, and Scorpion (Mac Gargan) only briefly appears. Toomes is the main antagonist who personally confronts Peter in the unforgettable car ride scene.

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03

Tony Stark built Peter a high-tech suit loaded with features Peter didn’t even know about, including an AI assistant that helps him in combat, provides tactical analysis, and even gives dating advice. What name does Peter give this AI?

AFriday BEdith CKaren DJocasta

✓ Correct! Peter names his suit’s AI “Karen,” voiced by Jennifer Connelly. She assists him with web shooter modes, reconnaissance, and even his love life. Friday is Tony Stark’s AI, and E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark satellite system that appears in Far From Home.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Karen. Friday is Tony Stark’s personal AI, E.D.I.T.H. is the Stark defense satellite Peter inherits in Far From Home, and Jocasta is an AI from the comics. Karen, voiced by Jennifer Connelly, is Peter’s suit assistant throughout Homecoming.

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04

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Peter encounters a seemingly heroic figure who claims to be from an alternate Earth, battling elemental creatures across Europe. In reality, he’s a disgruntled former Stark Industries employee using advanced holographic drones. What is his real name?

AWilliam Ginter Riva BAldrich Killian CJustin Hammer DQuentin Beck

✓ Correct! Quentin Beck, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, is Mysterio — a master of illusion who uses Stark Industries’ B.A.R.F. holographic technology and weaponized drones to fabricate the Elementals and pose as a hero. His final act of revenge shapes the entire third film.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Quentin Beck. William Ginter Riva is one of Beck’s team members, Aldrich Killian is the villain of Iron Man 3, and Justin Hammer is from Iron Man 2. Beck is Mysterio, the illusionist who manipulated Peter’s trust across Europe.

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05

In one of the MCU’s most shocking mid-credits scenes, J. Jonah Jameson broadcasts doctored footage from Mysterio’s final moments that completely upends Peter Parker’s life. What does this broadcast reveal to the entire world?

AThat Spider-Man killed Mysterio in cold blood BThat Spider-Man is Peter Parker CThat Spider-Man is a Skrull impersonator DThat Spider-Man commanded the drone attack on London

✓ Correct! Mysterio’s doctored footage, broadcast by J. Jonah Jameson (J.K. Simmons reprising his iconic role), exposes Spider-Man’s identity as Peter Parker to the entire world. This revelation drives the entire plot of No Way Home as Peter desperately seeks to undo the damage.

✗ Web miss! The answer is that Spider-Man is Peter Parker. While the footage also frames Spider-Man for the London drone attack, the earth-shattering reveal is Peter’s unmasked identity being broadcast globally by The Daily Bugle’s J. Jonah Jameson.

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06

With his identity exposed and his loved ones under threat, Peter seeks help from a powerful sorcerer to cast a spell that would make the world forget he is Spider-Man. Peter’s constant modifications to the spell cause it to fracture the multiverse. Which sorcerer casts this spell?

AWong BWanda Maximoff CDoctor Strange DKarl Mordo

✓ Correct! Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts the memory-wiping spell at Peter’s request, but Peter keeps asking for exceptions — for MJ, Ned, May, and Happy to still remember him. These constant changes corrupt the spell and tear open the multiverse, pulling in villains from other Spider-Man universes.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Doctor Strange. While Wong is the Sorcerer Supreme and actually warns Strange against it, it is Stephen Strange who agrees to cast the spell. Wanda’s multiverse interference occurs in Multiverse of Madness, not here.

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07

Throughout all three films, Peter’s loyal best friend serves as his “guy in the chair,” helping with tech support and keeping his secret. In No Way Home, this character even discovers he can open magical portals using a Sling Ring. Who is Peter’s best friend?

ANed Leeds BFlash Thompson CHarry Osborn DMiles Morales

✓ Correct! Ned Leeds, played by Jacob Batalon, is Peter’s best friend and self-proclaimed “guy in the chair.” He discovers Peter’s secret identity in Homecoming, supports him across all three films, and in No Way Home he accidentally uses Doctor Strange’s Sling Ring to open portals to other Spider-Men.

✗ Web miss! The answer is Ned Leeds. Flash Thompson is Peter’s rival and bully who ironically idolizes Spider-Man. Harry Osborn is Peter’s friend in the Raimi and Webb films but doesn’t appear in Holland’s trilogy. Miles Morales is only hinted at. Ned is the irreplaceable “guy in the chair.”

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08

At the emotional climax of No Way Home, Peter makes an enormous personal sacrifice to save the multiverse. Doctor Strange completes the spell, and when it takes effect, Peter is left completely alone. What does the final spell do?

AIt sends Peter to an alternate universe where no one knows him BIt erases Spider-Man from existence entirely CIt removes Peter’s spider powers permanently DIt makes everyone in every universe forget who Peter Parker is

✓ Correct! The final spell makes every person in every universe forget that Peter Parker exists. MJ, Ned, Happy, the Avengers — everyone. Peter visits MJ at the coffee shop afterward but decides not to re-introduce himself, choosing to protect them. He starts over completely alone, sewing his own suit in a small apartment.

✗ Web miss! The answer is that everyone forgets who Peter Parker is. The spell doesn’t erase Spider-Man — people still know the hero exists — but nobody remembers Peter Parker the person. This devastating sacrifice means MJ, Ned, and even Happy Hogan have no memory of him at all.

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↻ SWING AGAIN

Although Spider-Man is initially confused due to the memory loss that came with the deal, he can feel the truth in his soul, just like Mephisto said back in the 2007 storyline that he would subconsciously know what he had done and what was given up (though it's been heavily implied Mary Jane has always remembered One More Day).

Regardless, as exciting as it is to learn that Spider-Man's deal is now null and void, the dark twist is that Aunt May's life is now in danger, with Avengers #1 ending with the unsettling angelic warriors circling above her. While Spider-Man's erased future may be restored, it may come at the cost of Aunt May's life. Looking forward, readers will have to determine for themselves whether that dark cost is worth it at this point.

Avengers #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.